Christmas 2000

Christmas 2000 started on Saturday, December 23 at Arlona's sister Sue's place in Grand Rapids.  The cousins all had a great time playing together.  The boys pretty much locked in on Nintendo.

We went sledding after lunch and everyone had a great time.

Arlona's dad studied the new digital camera planned by Arlona's other sister Diane.  Her mom seemed please too.

The highlight of the day was the fact that all of Arlona's folk's kids and their families were all together at the same time.  This meant we had a great photo op.

Garry's mom arrived in Holt on the 24th.  Overnight, Santa arrived.  After nicely arranging the presents under the tree, he was kind enough to snap off a couple digital shots so the sleeping parents could see how nice he had is looking *before* Miranda & Alex got into it.

Because...the kids were up by 6:30am.  We they got us up at 7:30am (delayed at least 15 minutes by Grandma, who thought we could use the sleep) and were greeted by everything sorted by recipient:

The first order of business is the pickle.  Supposedly, there is a legend of the Christmas pickle.  One is hidden on the tree and whoever finds it is blessed with a year of good fortune.  I've done some research on the Web and find conflicting stories about the origin of the custom, but it's fun so we do it.  Whoever finds the pickle ornament gets a special present.  This year, Miranda was the lucky one.

Now - on to the presents!  According to our tradition, as you open the presents, you have to put the bow on your head and leave it there until you are done.

Normally, I wouldn't show you the cards, but look carefully...

Grandma must not have read the card to closely.  But it will get better, read on.

After finishing the opening process, Miranda decided to get the bows out the old fashioned way - shake!

Grandma got into the act

Arlona started unwrapping,

We have a standing joke as we unwrap - "Oh look, a box - just what I wanted" - OK, it's not much of a joke, especially after the 50th time you hear it.  But this Christmas day, as Arlona unwrapped a present from my mom...

Yup - it was a box.  It seems that the Kohl's gift card from my Mom that was supposed to be in there wound up in a present with my name on it.  That begged the question from my Mom as to the whereabouts of the gift card she bought for me.  (It turned up in a birthday present box two days later)

I finished up the festivities.

Sam hid under the tree to avoid the flying paper

and later took a nap on his new Christmas present

And speaking of naps...

Arlona's brother Paul came over with his family for dinner

and Christmas 2000 was in the books.

Please read my disclaimer.

This page last updated on Monday, July 26, 2004 09:42:51 PM